Founded in 1969, Annandale Village is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated solely to providing progressive life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries so they can maximize their abilities and maintain their independence in the least restrictive environment.

Founded in 1969, Annandale Village is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated solely to providing progressive life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries so they can maximize their abilities and maintain their independence in the least restrictive environment.

Understanding Developmental Disabilities

Over 6 million individuals in the United States have developmental disabilities. A developmental disability, according to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, is defined as a severe, chronic disability which:

originated at birth or during childhood,

is expected to continue indefinitely, and

substantially restricts the individuals functioning in several major life activities.

More specifically, a developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability which:

is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments;

is manifested before the person attains age 22;

results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:

self-care

receptive and expressive language

learning

mobility

self-direction

capacity for independent living, and

economic self-sufficiency;

reflects the person’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated;

except that such term when applied to infants and young children means individuals from birth to age five, inclusive, who have substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided.

Examples of developmental disabilities include:

Autism

Behavior disorders

Brain injury

Cerebral palsy

Down syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Mental retardation

Spina Bifida

People with developmental disabilities benefit from comprehensive long-term services. With such services, people with disabilities are often able to be more active, productive, and independent, which benefits their communities as well.

For more information, visit the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

WHAT DO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WANT?

“We all want the same basic things out of life: a decent and comfortable place to call ‘home’, something meaningful to do during the day, some close friends with whom to share the good times and from whom we receive support in difficult times, and the opportunity to make our own decisions about things that will affect our personal lives. People with disabilities want these same basic things and are increasingly speaking up for themselves about what they want. And staff, family and State agency professionals are beginning to really listen.”

Excerpted from “Home, Sweet Home” by Susan L. Babin, IMPACT: Feature Issue on Supported Living (1995), published by the Institute on Community Integration.

Navigation Menu

Follow Us

Subscribe to our newsletter

First Name

Last Name

Email (required) *

Check the box to the left to Opt-in to the Newsletter.

Constant Contact Use.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Annandale Village, 3500 Annandale Village, Suwanee, GA, 30024, http://www.annandale.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact